Reviewing Manhattan’s Office Space Market and Looking Ahead at 2011

Share Article

Manhattan's office market is closely watched by investors and businesses alike. Synergy Real Estate Group provides their thoughts on the market and what we can expect through 2011.

Midtown and Midtown South are definitely in the recovery stage but Downtown could continue to struggle for the next few quarters

New York, NY (PRWEB)February 23, 2011

2010 was a come back year for Manhattan’s office space market following a dreadful 2009 that saw asking rents slide and vacancy rates spike as the economic crisis hit its peak. We’re now more than halfway through February and we want to share our observations and predictions for 2011.

As a whole, the Manhattan office space market posted a positive net absorption over the course of the year meaning that more space was leased than was returned to the market. All of this occurred despite a shaky downtown market that is still trying to gain momentum and will likely remain stagnant through the first two to three quarters of 2011.

Manhattan is the largest office market in the United States and serves as a bellwether market for the rest of the country. It was decimated by the financial crisis as firms evaporated leaving behind a glut of space but now with improving employment numbers and institutional investment, the market is showing signs of renewed life.

John Galaxidas, the CEO of Synergy Real Estate Group commented on the recent performance of the market.

“We’re starting to see increases in asking rents in the Midtown and Midtown South markets,” said Galaxidas. “Plaza District properties are even signing tenants to agreements at the $100/square foot level.”

Galaxidas believes that the window for the best deals in Manhattan is beginning to close and that companies sitting on the fence about their commercial space need to get involved before its too late.

“Everyone kept waiting for the market to bottom out and with Midtown, that has certainly happened. Downtown will continue to bounce along and present opportunities but if you are looking for Midtown office space, you need to act quickly to lock in current rates.”